A Windsor Grout Hog

[vacuumman206]

So I picked up this contraption called a Grout Hog. The thing was in a garage, and the paint/coating was peeling off and the whole thing was disgusting.....Now that I know that it works I'm going to strip it down and repaint the base.
Anyway, It seems to need a power switch, because it only stays on if I hold the switch down. But it has a strange 2-switch off/on system with a relay, and I wonder if the relay is working correctly.
What I am really looking for is a replacement brush. It doesn't seem to hit the floor enough, especially to clean grout on those large 12x12 tiles. It did an excellent job on our smaller bathroom-size tile and grout though. So I'm wondering if there is different brush types for different applications, but for now I just want the mulit-use, standard replacment so I can finish my dad's kitchen.
All I've found online is a bunch of parts diagrams, but no leads on actual parts.

 

[bisonian]

RE: Grout Hog

These are great machines! We used them in the health care facility I worked in nearly 30 years ago. They were expensive then -- $850 or so, IIRC. Looks like they sell new now for around $2K.

The double switch is a safety feature. It's designed to not start up when plugged in until you actively engage the ON button. That way you won't plug it in and watch it run down the hall without an operator.

It does sound like you could have a bad relay if the machine won't stay on once you hit the switch.

Replacement brushes should be readily available from any janitorial supply house that sells Windsor equipment. Try a Google search to find one in your area. You might even be able to find a dealer through the Windsor site. (see link)

Hope this helps.

Rick C.

http://www.windsorind.com/

 

[vacuumman206]

Thanks Rick!
I used it for about 1 hr. on my dad's floors, bypassing the on switch and nothing seemed to go wrong. seeing that the relay is probably really expensive or nla, would you know if I could put a regular on/off switch where the momentary power on switch is? I am assuming since the relay/ on trigger is aparently faulty there is no harm in doing that?